Probe Ordered Into Cop 'Washing Lalu's Feet'

Times of India

December 20, 2013

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RANCHI: Days after newspapers were splashed with photographs showing Ramgarh sub-divisional police officer Ashok Kumar washing the feet of RJD chief Lalu Prasad at a local temple, DGP Rajiv Kumar on Thursday ordered a probe into the incident.

The state police chief said a police officer is expected to maintain "high degree of morality, particularly while on duty". The allegations, he said, would have to be verified. In the meantime, the Ramgarh SP has been directed to submit a report on it. Asked if any punitive action would be taken against Ashok Kumar, the DGP said he would go into the details once the report is submitted.

The SDPO, who is of the rank of DSP, was on duty at the Rajrappa temple when Lalu went there to pay obeisance while on his way to Patna from Birsa Munda Central jail after he was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the fodder scam.

While Ashok Kumar was caught pouring water on Lalu's feet, another cop in uniform was carrying the former CM's slippers. The photographs invited severe criticism for the Jharkhand police, prompting the DGP to quickly order a probe.

Ramgarh SP Ranjit Kumar Prasad said he had informally questioned the DSP but an official report will soon be submitted. "Once I receive a copy of the order from the headquarters, the DSP will be questioned," he added.

In Lalu's defence, Sanjay Prasad Yadav, RJD MLA from Godda, said their party chief never asked anyone to wash his feet. "There was a huge crowd of supporters and if he (Lalu) had asked anyone to pour water on his feet, hundreds of people would have rushed, creating security problems," he said, thanking Ashok Kumar for keeping the crowd at bay. "It was not just the officer's humility, but also an effort to keep the crowd from coming too close to Laluji," Yadav added.

The incident also grabbed the attention of the opposition in Jharkhand as it raised the matter in the assembly on Wednesday. Demanding an explanation from the government, Pradeep Yadav of the JVM, along with some BJP leaders, said the incident exposed how the ruling coalition was "using" senior officers of the administration.

The DSP, on his part, reportedly told his seniors that Lalu was known to his father. Ashok Kumar said he was only expressing his respect for an "elderly person" and that the act of pouring water on Lalu's feet had nothing to do with his political inclination.